CHAPTER 8

I was sitting outside the campus, reading a novel. I was so absorbed that I didn't even know someone sat beside me.

"Hi, you're Alanna, right?" I jumped on my seat and looked at the person talking to me. I just nodded my head and she smiled. She looked like a supermodel, she was just gorgeous, I didn't even know someone as beautiful as her attended University.

"Uh, I changed my department so I don't really have friends here." She continued. But why was she talking to me? And how did she know my name?

"Ah... You are pretty famous here, you know. Being friends with an idol and all." She said again, obviously catching on to how uncomfortable I was. I didn't hang out with TXT that much now, and they didn't attend a class that regularly.

"What's your name?"

"Right, my bad. My name is Do Eunsoo." She answered. I just nodded and smiled, I was not really good at talking with strangers, Haeun was an exception.

She got up and smiled again, "I guess I will see you around then?"

"Okay." I stared at her retreating back.

"Alanna!" I looked to my side and saw Haeun waving at me. I waved back and collected my things.

"Hey! Sorry, my grandfather fainted this morning. I had to skip class." She said as she reached near me.

"Is he okay? Should we visit him after class?" I worriedly said, she always mentioned how her grandfather's health was not very good.

"Oh, that would be nice. By the way, who was that girl you were talking to?"

"I think her name was Do Eunsoo." I saw something flickering in her eyes.

"Hm? Do you know her?" I asked.

She shook her head and smiled, "No... I must have mistaken her." She linked her arms with me and we went in for the lecture.

*

Ring Ring

I pulled out my phone and looked at my caller.

Hyuka

"Hello?"

"Hey, Alanna! Are you busy?"

"No, I don't think so," I replied.

"Where are you now?"

"I am at the convenience store beside the University with Haeun," I answered again, Haeun also came out with a bunch of food.

"We are wondering if you want to have dinner with us?"

"The two of us?" I asked.

"Yes! Stay right where you are and our manager will pick you up." He continued and end the phone. I looked at my phone surprised, that guy, he didn't even wait for my answer, Jeez.

"We are invited to dinner, you down?" I asked Haeun who was happily eating her ice cream.

"With who?"

"TXT" She choked on her ice cream while I laughed at her.

"Wait, really? We are having dinner with idols?" She said amidst her coughing.

"Ah, I have to tell Mom," I called my Mom and filled her in.

"Let's go buy more, " she said and went inside the store, why did she ask me when she went on her own?

A black car pulled up in front of us and a man whom I had seen picking up the boys several times came out.

"Are you guys, Alanna and Haeun?" We nodded getting flustered. He told us to get inside the car and we did.

"Ah, I am sorry that you cannot hang out with the boys more." The manager said.

"No, it's okay. We understand we should have been careful from the beginning." I replied.

"Thank you for understanding. We are cautious since it's really easy for them to get into a nonsense scandal."

Haeun and the manager talked about some things on our way. I looked out of the window, a bit nervous. It had been days since I last saw and talked to Yeonjun. I knew he was busy preparing for their comeback. And I knew it was going to get worse after they made their comeback, and we had not even started dating yet. I sighed, will it work out?

We reached their building and the manager discretely got us inside from the back of the building. He said he picked us up in his own car since the company car had been recognized by many fans. He really looked after the group well.

As we walked up the building, I could see some big bodyguards wandering about the hallways. The manager explained that just in case someone followed us. I got chills as he said that, I never expected that idols needed this much protection, it was sad and scary.

He knocked three times on a door and it opened to reveal Beomgyu. He smiled widely as he saw us.

"Oh, you are both here! Guys, they have arrived." He said and motioned us to get in. We thanked the manager, and he asked us to call him when we were ready to home.

We looked around the dorm and it was pretty neat for a bunch of chaotic lads like them. Haeun looked nervous and I was nervous too, I could feel my heart pounding inside my chest. I really needed to snap out of it, it was not like we were in a relationship anyway.

"Why do you look so awkward? C'mon, relax." Hyuka said and pushed us down the couch, this boy.

"Hey! Did you write the wrong recipe?! Why does it smell so weird!" Soobin came out running towards us. Hyuka looked at his phone and smiled sheepishly.

"I might have mixed it with another recipe.." He replied. Soobin huffed and flicked Hyuka's forehead.

"Do you know how to make stir-fried chicken?" Hyuka asked us, and Haeun said she will do it. Soobin also went in to help her.

"I did that on purpose." Hyuka suddenly said.

"What? The recipe?" I asked he nodded in reply.

"He obviously was going to fail despite having the correct recipe. Plus, he can finally talk to her now." He continued.

I just laughed, Soobin was even shyer than I thought he would be. He just occasionally texted Haeun and that was all. And on the other hand, Haeun was worse, she kept on asking how she should reply whenever she got his texts. They will make a unique couple.

"Oh, you are here?" Yeonjun came out of the room and sat down. I was praying not to freak out and said something stupid.

"Yes, we just got here," I replied, trying not to show my shaky hands.

"I am going to play games with the other guys," Hyuka said and got up, I threw him a glare when he wiggled his eyebrows at me.

"I am sorry I didn't contact you the past week," Yeonjun said and moved a little bit closer. Please, young man, stay right where you were.

"I-It's okay. Taehyun contacted me and said you were shooting." I replied, I cleared my throat and looked around nervously.

"Do you want to go to the balcony?" He asked, I nodded and got up, he guided me outside and we sat down on the chairs. It was a bit awkward as we remained silent.

"About the date-" we said in unison.

"You go first, " I said, he nodded and continued.

"Uh, about the date, do you mind if we postpone it for a bit? They move our come-back date that day."

"I was going to say that too. I realized when I saw all the bodyguards outside that it was too risky and scary for you. It's not like I change my mind about you, I mean like-" I sighed as I didn't know how to explain it, he just looked at me and smiled. I couldn't get myself to look at him at all. All the things I had prepared to say just flew away.

"I am sorry. You must have had a hard time because of me. I was being selfish that I put my feelings out there like that. I also put your life at risk,"

"No, it's okay. I was also wrong, I sometimes forget you are really popular."

He just laughed and moved close to me. He took my hands and intertwined them with mine. I gulped and tried to even out my breath, my heart was pounding so hard I thought I could hear them.

"I know we planned the date to get to know each other but never actually make anything real. And even if we did, a guy like me will never be able to be there all the time, I also know that I won't be able to make you happy as much as others can. Even when I know all of that, I can't stop myself from being near you and liking you." He stopped for a bit and looked at me.

"I want to ask you, even if I can't do all the things a boyfriend needs to do, or can't always be there for you, would you agree if I ask you to be my girlfriend?" He finished, I finally looked him in the eyes, he was so serious.

But, did I really want to? It was obvious that I liked him, I never felt this kind of attraction to anyone. And did I want to be his girlfriend? We would not be able to go out together, let alone meet each other. Did I still want to risk it all?

"Y-You know, I like you because you are Yeonjun, I don't really care about your status as an idol. I will be lying if I say those things won't bother me and I know they will at some point, but I think I could find a way to endure it if we try?" I replied, his eyes widened, he seemed like he didn't know what to say right away.

"I was preparing for rejection, are you sure?"

"It will be hard, but I think it will be worth the try," I said, he smiled and looked me in the eyes. He slowly leaned in and I just waited, not knowing what to do. I could feel his breath as he got nearer and cupped my face, our lips were an inch apart only to be interrupted by Beomgyu barging out.

We quickly separated and looked at Beomgyu, "Eh? Why were you two so close?" He asked, I coughed and got up, my face heating up from embarrassment.

"Oh... Right... Are you two dating?" He asked teasingly which only made me blush more.

"Hey, just go in," Yeonjun said, Beomgyu stuck his tongue out and went in shouting that dinner was ready.

"Let's go?" He said and I nodded, damn, I almost gave my first kiss to Yeonjun. I didn't think I would be able to face anyone if Beomgyu had caught us really kissing. Ugh.

We went inside the kitchen and sat down with the others, they were looking at us all weirdly making me blush again, I sat down beside Haeun, who also clearly wanted to tease me.

"Do you want to know what I see outside? Two people were extremely clo-" He got slapped by Yeonjun on the back of the head.

"Shut up and eat." We laughed at their interaction, gladly they moved to another topic.

We ate dinner happily chatting about some things, the guys talked about how things were during their trainee days, and Haeun and I just listened to it.

"Did these two come to class last week?" Soobin suddenly asked me, I looked at Taehyun and Beomgyu who were vigorously shaking their heads at me.

"Huh? I didn't see anyone of you the past week." I replied, confused. Beomgyu slapped his forehead while Taehyun looked like he was ready to run. Hyuka just laughed at them and said they were done for.

"Explain." Soobin glared at the two guys who were knocking each other to answer.

"We went to the arcade, we planned to be there for only half an hour but it had been so long that we lost track of time," Taehyun explained.

"Well, the house chores are yours for this week." Hyuka laughed loudly at them and immediately stopped when Soobin looked at him.

"I know you hide that from me," Soobin said, Hyuka just smiled at Soobin and rubbed his belly. We laughed at his cute actions and continued eating. Soobin still looked adorable even when he scolded his members. We stayed with them for a bit playing games and having fun.

I sighed as I lay on my bed, thinking about the previous occasion. Did I really make the right choice? I meant like, it was no doubt that we liked each other, we were pretty good friends too. But how could we be in a relationship if we couldn't even get to know each other? God, this was driving me crazy.

I looked at my phone as the message tone rang.

Yeonjun

Did you go home well? Don't think too much, everything will be alright.

I smiled and replied. I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.